A Perth-based manager cum fashion designer has gone on trial in Western Australia’s District Court for allegedly stealing almost $163,000 from her employer’s business.
Chaynika Sethi has been charged with 98 counts of 'stealing as a servant' from Maylands Physiotherapy clinic, where she worked as a practice manager for ten years.
Prosecutors told the court that Ms Sethi siphoned money from the company’s bank accounts over a 21-month period.
Her employer, Arran McDiven told the court that when he confronted her about an unusual payment, she became visibly affected and started “shaking and crying.”
She revealed to him that she had stolen between $10,000 and $20,000 from him over two years, the court heard.
The mother of two explained to him that she was having financial problems after her husband’s business failed.
But rather than firing her, Mr McDiven retained her as staff after Ms Sethi agreed to return the sum and also surrendered her and her family’s passports so she couldn’t escape without paying him back, the court heard.
But after Mr McDiven went through his accounts, the 45-year-old physiotherapist discovered that the owed amount was much higher.
He told the court that Ms Sethi was the “heart of the team,” and he felt “very disappointed.”
The court was told that during the time, Mr McDiven was struggling with his own financial problems, and was forced to sell his new house and move his children from private to public school.
Mr McDiven sent multiple texts to Ms Sethi over the next few weeks, and he was informed that her father was sending her money from India.
She attempted to get a loan against the equity in her home to raise the money but didn’t work out.
When Mr McDiven suggested she sell the property, she “took it badly,” and accused him of harassing her threatened to “ruin his reputation and the clinic’s,” the court heard.
Ms Sethi who runs a fashion business on the side arrived in Australia in 2005. She was given the ‘Iconic Women creating a better world for all’ award by Women Economic Forum 2019.
Her trial is set down for five days.
With inputs from AAP.
Listen to SBS Punjabi Monday to Friday at 9 pm. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
